Adjustable headband



May26, 1970 R. J. NicKERsoN ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND med June l25, 196e United States Patent Olilice 3,513,481 Patented May 26, 1970 3,513,481 ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND Ronald J. Nickerson, Dover, Del., assignor to ILC Industries, Inc., Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 25, 1968, Ser. No. 739,885

Int. Cl. A42b 1 00 U.S. Cl. 2-3 10 Claims ABSTRACT `OF THE DISCLOSURE Adjustable headband for use in helmet suspension systems and the like which may be readily and easily adjusted to and maintained at a selected one of standard head or hatband sizes.

This invention relates generally to headbands and, more particularly, to headbands which may be readily and easily adjusted to a desired size.

At the outset, it is to be expressly understood that While the present invention is here described, disclosed, illustrated and shown as applied to a headband, the principles thereof are equally applicable to substantially any body-encircling band and, accordingly, the present invention is not to be deemed limited to headbands, but, to sub'- stantially any body-encircling band which falls within the scope and breadth of the subjoined claims.

Accordingly, having in mind the foregoing, the present invention provides band means adapted for disposition in a body-encircling manner constructed and arranged to enable ready and easy adjustment thereof to accommodate differing body sizes.

In addition to the foregoing, the present invention provides such body-encircling means which may be readily and easily adjusted to conform to any of a predetermined selection of standardized sizes.

Yet further, in addition to each of the foregoing, the present invention provides such lbody-encircling means adapted to preclude inadvertent changes in the adjusted size thereof.

The present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing, yet still further provides such body-encircling means with pad means extending substantially entirely along one surface thereof.

The present invention, yet still further in addition to each of the foregoing, provides an overlapping body-encircling band having size indicating indicia at one end portion and aperture means at the other end portion thereof adapted to be disposed in alignment with the size indicating indicia corresponding to the adjusted size of the band and exposure thereof to indicate such adjusted size.

Yet further, the present invention provides such bodyencircling band means which are economical to manufacture and durable in use.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved body-encircling band means constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood, and o-bjects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is presenty considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modiiications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall Within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an opened outplan view of a headband constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the headband of the preceding figure illustrating the headband in a set up condition and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the overlapping portion of the headband as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 3.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated therein body-encircling band means exempliiied as an adjustable headband constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 10.

The headband 10 may comprise an elongated flexible assembly 12 fabricated, for example, of a high density polyethylene such as Marlex 5003 and may, for example, be approximately .040 thick, 1%" Wide and 25%" long to enable conformation to head sizes up to size 8. The flexible assembly 12 is adapted to be formed into an adjustable generally ring-like configuration with the end portions 14 and 16 thereof being in generally overlapping relationship. One end portion, such as the end portion 14 may be provided with a series of spaced apart size indieating indicia 18 and the other end portion, such as the end portion 16 may `be provided with aperture means 20 for enabling the selective exposure of the indicia 18 therethrough when the end portions 14 and 16 are in the overlapping relationship thereof.

More particularly, the indicia 18 may, as shown, comprise a generally longitudinally extending group of generally equally spaced apart integers 22 and a generally longitudinally extending group of generally equally spaced apart fractions 24 in generally transversely spaced apart relationship. The apertures 20 may similarly comprise a pair of generally transversely spaced apart windows 26 and 28 positioned to be in general alignment with the groups of integers 22 and fractions 24, respectively, and of such size as to expose a single integer and a single fraction, the integer and fraction exposed thereby corresponding to the adjusted size of the headband, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Moreover, the groups of integers 22 and fractions 24 and, similarly, the apertures 26 and 28 may be generally angularly offset, one from the other, as indicated, so that the apertures 26 and 28 will not unduly weaken the assembly 12.

The indicia 18 and apertures 20 enable identification of the size to which the headband 10 is adjusted. The indicia 18 and apertures 20 do not, however, position the end portions of the assembly 12 in the overlapping relationship thereof or retain the end portions thereof in such overlapping relationship at any such desired size. Such means for adjusting and retaining the size of the headband 10 may, for example, reside in the provision of a plurality of holes 30 arranged in a series in one end portion of the liexible assembly 12 in generally equally spaced apart configuration, the distance between adjacent holes corresponding generally to the difference between adjacent adjusted sizes of the headband and the distance between adjacent fractions 24. Yet further, the adjustment means may reside in an opening 32 provided adjacent the other end portion of the flexible assembly 12. The opening 32 may, for example, be generally medially positioned between the group of integers 22 and the group of fractions 24 and is adapted to be disposed in general alignment with a selected one of the holes 30 at each adjusted size of the headband 10.

To retain the headband at such adjusted size, with the appropriate indicia 18 exposed through the apertures and with the opening 32 in alignment with one of the holes 30, means, such as a snap member 34 may be utilized to extend through the opening 32 and aligned hole 30. The snap member 34 may, for example, comprise a generally cylindrical reduced diameter neck portion 36 and enlarged head portions 38 and 40 disposed at each end portion thereof. At least one of the head portions, such as the head portion 38 may be adapted for snap. fit passage through the holes 30.

For example, the head 38 may be of generally truncated conical configuration with the minimum diameter thereof being slightly smaller than the diameter of the holes 30 and the maximum thereof being slightly greater than the diameter of the holes 30 to enable such snap fit insertion. The holes 30 and the openings 32 may be of substantially the same diameter to enable the snap member 34 to be readily inserted or removed from the assembly 12. The

`other head portion 40 may be of substantially greater diametral extent and of slightly curved configuration so as to present a minimum danger of injury to a wearer of the headband if the headband is required to absorb impact during use.

The snap members 34 may, for example, be fabricated of a plastic material, such as nylon or polyethylene. Pad means, such as a sweatband 42. fabricated of a perforated foambacked expanded plastic, such as vinyl plastic, rubber, or the like, may be structurally associated with the flexible assembly 12 and adapted to extend substantially entirely interiorly thereof, as shown. The sweatband 42 may, for example, comprise a backing layer 44 and a foamed resilient layer 46 structurally associated with the flexible assembly 12, as by being folded generally about the lower edge portion thereof and secured thereto, as by means of stitching 48, or the like. In use, the end 14 of the headband 10 may be inserted between the end portion 16 of the flexible assembly 12 and the overlying portion of the sweatband 42, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

To assist in retaining the end portions 14 and 16 in properly overlapping relationship and to provide torsional stiffness to the adjusted headband 10, there may be further provided means, such as a tab or strap member 50 secured with, for example, the end portion 16 of the headband 10. For example, and with reference now more particularly to FIG. 6, the strap member or tab 50 may be secured between the flexible assembly 12 and the sweatband 42 by the stitching 48 and with the upper edge portion of the sweatband 42, as by means of stitching 52.

The flexible assembly 12 may be yet further provided with a plurality of elongated slots 54, or the like, within which there may be disposed snap members 56, substantially identical with the snap member 34 for enabling structural association of the headband 10 with a helmet suspension harness (not shown), or the like.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable headband for use in helmet suspension systems and the like comprising in combination an elongated flexible assembly adapted to be formed into an adjustable generally ring-like configuration Awith the end portions thereof being in overlapping relationship; one end portion thereof being provided with a series of spacedapart headband size indicating indica and a xed fastening means, the other end portion thereof being provided with aperture means for enabling the selective exposure of said indicia; and a plurality of fastening means, one for each head size, said aperture means being so located that the size indictor exposed therethrough corresponds to a particular adjusted headband size -when the fixed fastening means is operatively connected to one of said plurality of fastening means.

2. The adjustable headband described in claim 1 wherein said fixed fastening means comprises a snap stud member having a reduced diameter neck portion and a enlarged head portion at each end thereof, the one end portion of the said flexible assembly being provided with at least one opening of sufficient size as to enable passage therethrough of said neck portion, and in the other end portion said plurality of fastening means comprises a plurality of holes, the diameter of said holes being selected to enable snap passage therethrough of at least one of said head portions.

3. Adjustable headband defined in claim 2 wherein said assembly comprises an elongated self-supporting strip member provided with said indicia, aperture means, holes and openings; elongated pad means extending substantially entirely adjacent one surface thereof secured thereto adjacent an end portion; and a strap secured generally transversely with said pad means adjacent one end portion thereof in generally encircling relationship to one end portion of said strip member enabling the other end portion of said strip member to extend to said encircling strap for retaining said overlapping portion substantially entirely in juxtaposition.

4. An adjustable headband for use in helmet suspension systems and the like comprising in combination an elongated flexible assembly adapted t0 be formed into an adjustable generally ring-like configuration with the end portions thereof being in overlapping relationship; one end portion 'thereof being provided with a series of spacedapart headband size indicia, said indicia having a generally longitudinally extending group of generally equally spaced apart integers and a generally longitudinally extending group of generally equally spaced apart fractions, said group of integers and said group of fractions being in generally transversely spaced apart relationship; the other end portion thereof being provided with aperture means for enabling the selective exposure of said indicia, said aperture means comprising a pair of generally transversely spaced apart windows positioned to be in general alignment with said group of integers and fractions, respectively, and of such size as to expose a single integer and a single fraction, the integer and fraction exposed thereby corresponding to an adjusted headband size.

5. Adjustable headband defined in claim 4 wherein said group of integers comprises at least one sub-group of repeated similar integers, the number thereof corresponding to the number of fractional parts defined by said group of fractions.

6. Adjustable headband defined in claim 4 -wherein said windows are located in generally angular orientation across said assembly.

7. Adjustable headband defined in claim 4 wherein said group of integers comprises at least one sub-group of repeated similar integers, the number thereof corresponding to the number of fractional parts defined by said group of fractions.

8. Adjustable headband defined in claim 4 wherein said fractions are located in generally angular orientation to said integers and wherein said windows are located in similar generally angmlar orientation across said assembly.

9. Adjustable head-band dened in claim 4 wherein said indicia and said opening are disposed adjacent one end portion of said assembly and wherein said windows, holes and strap are disposed adjacent the other end portion of said assembly. n

10. Adjustable headband dened in claim 4 Iwherein said holes are positioned generally laterally medially of said strip member and wherein said windows are disposed in generally equally spaced apart orientation on opposite sides of said holes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JAMES R. BOLER, [Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

